Information tube and tethered end cap used therewith

ABSTRACT

A tubular assembly comprising a tubular housing, having at least one open end, at least the open end of the housing being provided with a flexible cap having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing; a flexible ring having a dimension suitable to fit over the end of the tubular housing while retaining same in fixed encompassing relationship to the tubular housing; hinge means connecting the cap to the flexible ring; the flexible tether means extending from the flexible ring, the flexible tether having at a free end thereof means to support the tubular housing from a vertically extending surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a novel tubular assembly and tethered end cap for use in both closing and supporting the tubular member.

Information tubes or assemblies have been used for a long period of time. Such information tubes or holders are used to provide ready access to informational materials, such as sales material or advertising. See, for example, the products depicted by Design Pat. Nos. 372,499; 386,536; 540,394; and 543,591; U.S. patent publication Nos. 2002/0040916; 2004/0079015; and 2007/0107287; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,235,870; 3,156,055; 4,260,090; 4,334,373; 4,574,504; 4,889,268; 4,986,431; 5,102,020; 5,645,203; and 6,298,590. See also, the information tube described at www.cartube.com. However, such previous products employ cumbersome materials, or are not easily used.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

There is thus a need to provide means to easily support a tubular member from a vertical surface.

There is further a need to provide a means to provide ease of access to the interior of a tubular member.

There is still further a need to provide a tubular member which is easily supported from a vertical surface, with the interior of the tubular member easily accessible.

In accordance with the present invention, there is thus provided a tethered end cap for a tubular housing, said tethered end cap comprising:

a flexible cap having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing;

a flexible ring having a dimension suitable to fit over the end of said tubular housing while retaining same in fixed in encompassing relationship to said tubular housing;

hinge means connecting said cap to said flexible ring; and

flexible tether means extending from said flexible ring, said flexible tether having at a free end thereof means to support said tethered end cap from a vertically extending surface.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a tethered end cap for use as a closure for the ends of a tubular housing, said tethered end cap comprising:

(a) a flexible cap having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing;

(b) a flexible ring having a dimension suitable to fit over the end of said tubular housing while retaining same in fixed encompassing relationship to said tubular housing;

(c) hinge means connecting said cap to said flexible ring; and

(d) flexible tether means extending from said flexible ring, said flexible tether having at a free end thereof means to support said tubular housing from a vertically extending surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in accordance with the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tethered end cap of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the tethered end cap of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a opposite side view of the tethered end cap of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tethered end cap of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tethered end cap of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tethered end cap of the present invention as used as an end cap on a tubular housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6.

The tubular assembly of the present invention is comprised of a tubular member 17 having at least one open end and associated tethered end caps 1. The end caps 1 have U-shaped hanging means 9 attached thereto, to permit the tubular assembly and associated end caps to be hung from a suitable vertically oriented surface, such as a vehicle window (not shown).

The assembly includes a tubular member 17. The tubular member may be cylindrical in configuration (as shown in the Figures), with two open ends. Alternatively, the tubular member may be non-cylindrical, such as rectangular. Also, while preferably both ends of the tubular member are open to permit access to the inside of the tube, it is also possible for only one end of the cylinder to be open, with the other end being closed.

The tubular member may be formed of any suitable material which enables the tubular member to have sufficient structural stability. Preferably, the tubular member is comprised of a clear extrudable plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. However, the tubular member need not be comprised of a plastic material, and is preferably visually clear. For example, a glass tubular member may be employed, as may be a tubular member formed from metal such as aluminum. One of ordinary skill in the art can readily determine which materials may be used while enabling the objects of the present invention to be achieved.

The ends of the tubular member are closed with a flexible end cap 1. The flexible cap has a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing. Advantageously, the end cap is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoset rubber material which enables the end cap to be snugly fit over the end of the tubular member. An exemplary material which may be used to form the end cap comprises dip molded polyvinyl chloride plastisol, or an injection molded thermoplastic elastomer. One of ordinary skill in the art can readily select an appropriate material for such use.

The use of plastisol-type dip molding materials is well known as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,241; 4,800,116; and 6,004,641. A typical formulation for a polyvinyl chloride plastisol would, for example, on a weight basis comprise 100 parts dispersion grade PVC resin, 65 parts plasticizer (such as DIDP or DINP), 3-5 parts heat stabilizer such as barium/zinc), and 3-5 parts colorant.

As depicted in the Figures, the end cap (for decorative purposes) may be formed of both inner portion 3 and outer portion 19. The outer portion 19 may be formed, for example, by dip molding an outer vinyl layer onto an inner preformed vinyl layer, with each layer having a different color. For instance, enhanced visual effect may be attained by use of a colored (e.g., red) outer layer on an inner white layer. However, the color combination, if used, may be chosen according to the visual effect desired.

In order to enhance the ease by which the end cap may be removed from the tubular member, a tab 15 may be provided at an edge portion of the end cap 1. The tab 15 may be integrally molded within the end cap, for instance.

The end cap 1 is attached to the tubular member 17 by means of a flexible ring 5 having a dimension suitable to fit over the end of the tubular housing while retaining same in fixed encompassing relationship to the tubular housing. The flexible ring 5 may be comprised of the same type of material as the end cap 1. In any event, the ring 5 is comprised of such material as to be able to be stretched over the exterior of the tubular member 17.

The flexible ring 5 is attached to the end cap by a hinge means 7 extending therebetween. The hinge means 7 permits the end cap 1 to be removed from the end of the tubular member, while remaining connected to the flexible ring 5. In order to permit the flexible end cap to be removed from the tubular member, only one hinge means 7 preferably employed as shown in the Figures. However, multiple hinge means may be employed while located sufficiently together along one side of the end cap to still permit the end cap to be easily removed. The hinge means is preferably in the form of a cylindrical member which extends therebetween. It is also desirable to have the hinge positioned at the top of the assembly (near the tether) to permit the effect of gravity to close the end cap onto the end of the tubular member. However, the hinge location may be anywhere along the tube edge.

Flexible tether means 13 extends from the flexible ring 7, with the flexible tether 13 having at a free end thereof means to support the tethered end cap 1 from a vertically extending surface. The tether means may take many forms, and as shown in the Figures, may be comprised of a substantially planar member having a greater width than thickness. For example, the tether may be substantially rectangular in cross-section. Alternatively, the tether may also be substantially cylindrical, or have a similar configuration. It is only important that the tether be flexible by nature, and have sufficient structural integrity to support the tubular member.

The supporting means 9 at an end of the tether 13 permits the tether to be attached to a vertically oriented surface. The supporting means 9 is preferably, but not necessarily, comprised of the same type of flexible polymeric material as the tether, end cap and ring members. However, the supporting means 9 may be comprised of a substantially inflexible material such as a metallic member or an inflexible molded polymeric material. As shown in the Figures, the supporting means 9 comprises a generally U-shaped member comprised of a flexible vinyl material. The supporting member may, for example, be inserted onto the top edge of a vehicle window, and the window closed thereon to hold the supporting member in place. Once so held in place, the tubular assembly is supported by the vehicle window.

The tubular assembly may serve a variety of end uses. For instance, the tubular assembly, when supported by a vehicle window in the sales lot of a vehicle dealer, may be used to store printed information regarding the vehicle, such as manufacturer's information, pricing information, warranty information, etc. Potential purchasers of the vehicle may readily access such information by removing one of the end caps which closes an open end of the tubular member, to remove the information contained therein. The fact that the end cap is attached to the ring surrounding the tubular member prevents the end cap from being misplaced or lost upon removal. 

1. A tubular assembly comprising: a tubular housing, having at least one open end, with at least the open end of said housing being provided with: (a) a flexible cap having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing; (b) a flexible ring having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of said tubular housing while retaining same in fixed encompassing relationship to said tubular housing; (c) hinge means connecting said cap to said flexible ring; and (d) flexible tether means extending from said flexible ring, said flexible tether having at a free end thereof means to support said tubular housing from a vertically extending surface.
 2. The tubular assembly of claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises a flexible solid tubular member extending between an edge portion of said flexible ring and an edge portion of said flexible cap.
 3. The tubular assembly of claim 1, wherein said means to support said tethered end cap comprises a flexible U-shaped member.
 4. The tubular assembly of claim 1, wherein said cap and said ring are comprised of a flexible polymeric material.
 5. The tubular assembly of claim 4, wherein said polymeric material comprises a vinyl material, thermoplastic elastomer, or thermoset elastomer.
 6. A tethered end cap for use as a closure for the ends of a tubular member, said tethered end cap comprising: (a) a flexible cap having a dimension suitable to fit snugly over the end of a tubular housing; (b) a flexible ring having a dimension suitable to fit over the end of said tubular housing while retaining same in fixed encompassing relationship to said tubular housing; (c) hinge means connecting said cap to said flexible ring; and (d) flexible tether means extending from said flexible ring, said flexible tether having at a free end thereof means to support said tubular housing from a vertically extending surface.
 7. The tethered end cap of claim 6, wherein said hinge means comprises a flexible solid tubular member extending between an edge portion of said flexible ring and an edge portion of said flexible cap.
 8. The tethered end cap of claim 6, wherein said means to support said tethered end cap comprises a flexible U-shaped member.
 9. The tethered end cap of claim 6, wherein said cap and said ring are comprised of a flexible polymeric material.
 10. The tethered end cap of claim 9, wherein said polymeric material comprises a vinyl material, thermoplastic elastomer, or thermoset elastomer. 